Shipwrecks have longed captured the imagination of the public. Shipwreck stories, historic and fictional, contain many of the themes that draw interest: man vs. nature, courage, survival, tragedy, hope, life, and death. Newfoundland and Labrador, with 500 years of nautical history, has its fair share of shipwrecks – perhaps more so, given the amount of historic sea traffic, the province’s position in the north Atlantic Ocean, and the foggy and stormy weather. Indeed, some estimates place the number of shipwrecks off the coast of Newfoundland in excess of 10,000!

Have you ever wondered what lies beyond the dark mouth of a sea cave? Are you curious about the mysterious creatures that live within? Ocean Quest Adventure Resort has added a new offering to their Close Encounter Tours: 2 guides, 3 hours, 4 boats, 8 lights, 12 people, and 24 fins – it’s time to go swimming in the dark!

The roar of the engine cuts out and everything is silent. I hold my breath and scan the waters for a sign of life. Suddenly a glistening black and white tail flicks up and into view. “Go! Go! Go!” screams the Skipper and I plunge into the icy waters. As I swim I look through my mask into the deep and see a giant directly below me – there’s no turning back now, I’m swimming with humpbacks.

As I sat in my kayak, gently bobbing in the water, sun warming my face, I almost feel the need to pinch myself – directly in front of me was a massive, sparkling iceberg. “This is amazing!” yells my partner, seated in the back of our tandem boat, and it was. Not many can say they spent their Sunday paddling around two 10,000 year old giants – but Ocean Quest Adventure Resort made it possible.

It's not often that mere mortals can afford to stay in the same luxurious lodgings where royalty once slept. And when those accommodations also boast intriguing links to the ocean liner Titanic, the chances seem remote indeed.

"Remember, give'r till ya shiver," says the man responsible for my safety just before I jump off a boat into freezing water. I've come to the most easterly point in North America in the hope of having an up close and personal experience with whales.

It's almost question-popping time – you know, Valentine's Day – but going down on one knee is a little…boring, right? Predictable, safe, and just not your style. Life is a big adventure, and the two of you are adventurous. So, let's go deep, 89 feet deep, in SCUBA gear, to the deck of an historic shipwreck, and spring the ring. Now, that's a proposal!